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Brain candy for Happy MutantsFri, 09 Dec 2016 15:39:45 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.187954168Epigenetics continues to be just freaking nutshttp://boingboing.net/2013/11/18/epigenetics-continues-to-be-ju.html
http://boingboing.net/2013/11/18/epigenetics-continues-to-be-ju.html#commentsMon, 18 Nov 2013 14:45:43 +0000http://boingboing.net/?p=268692a study that's inspired both deep skepticism and jaw-dropping awe (both with good reason) scientists were able to train male mice to fear a specific smell — and then observe that same fear/stress response to the smell in the mice's children and grandchildren. This, despite the fact that the younger generations never had contact with their trained fathers. These results are crazy enough that you shouldn't take them as gospel. But they are hella interesting and will definitely lead to a lot more research as other scientists attempt to replicate them. ]]>a study that's inspired both deep skepticism and jaw-dropping awe (both with good reason) scientists were able to train male mice to fear a specific smell — and then observe that same fear/stress response to the smell in the mice's children and grandchildren. This, despite the fact that the younger generations never had contact with their trained fathers. These results are crazy enough that you shouldn't take them as gospel. But they are hella interesting and will definitely lead to a lot more research as other scientists attempt to replicate them. ]]>http://boingboing.net/2013/11/18/epigenetics-continues-to-be-ju.html/feed47268692Read this before you read another story on epigeneticshttp://boingboing.net/2013/04/10/read-this-before-you-read-anot.html
http://boingboing.net/2013/04/10/read-this-before-you-read-anot.html#commentsWed, 10 Apr 2013 13:17:33 +0000http://boingboing.net/?p=223783Annalee Newitz critiques a new e-book about epigenetics — the science of how environmental factors can influence genetic expression — and violence. The book makes some pretty terrible (and non-scientific) insinuations about the idea of an inherent propensity towards violence and Newitz does a good job of both taking down the specific book and explaining the nuance behind a complicated topic. ]]>Annalee Newitz critiques a new e-book about epigenetics — the science of how environmental factors can influence genetic expression — and violence. The book makes some pretty terrible (and non-scientific) insinuations about the idea of an inherent propensity towards violence and Newitz does a good job of both taking down the specific book and explaining the nuance behind a complicated topic. ]]>http://boingboing.net/2013/04/10/read-this-before-you-read-anot.html/feed5223783